EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The most glaringly bad performance by Christian Ponder in a season marked by costly mistakes and curious decisions had just concluded, and the skepticism about his viability as Minnesota’s quarterback was as prevalent as ever.

As for Vikings coach Leslie Frazier, well, his faith in Ponder was never clearer.

After Ponder threw two devastating interceptions in the third quarter at Green Bay that day, one in the end zone with Minnesota leading 14-10 and the other at the Packers 13-yard line with the Vikings trailing 20-14, the playoffs appeared improbable. They were 6-6 and facing a difficult four-game segment at the end of the schedule. Ponder’s future as the starter looked tenuous.

So Frazier, anticipating the swirl of speculation and criticism from the analysts and the fans, sought out Ponder in the locker room at Lambeau Field to assure him the team was still behind him. Adrian Peterson gave him a pep talk, too.

“I don’t want you to walk in there with any doubt about your future here as our starting quarterback,” Frazier told Ponder before his postgame news conference. “Next ballgame, you’re going to be our starter.”

The Vikings — who feature Seneca Valley grad Brandon Fusco at right guard — finished with four straight wins to secure a wild card spot, and though Peterson and the defense had a lot to do with the rally they wouldn’t have qualified for the postseason without improvement by Ponder. Yes, the Vikings are Peterson’s team, but Ponder is ultimately the one most responsible for their progress.

“Obviously a lot has changed. I think the biggest thing for me was making better decisions,” Ponder said. “Obviously I made some bad decisions in that first game. It’s something that I knew I had to improve upon. I think each week it’s gotten better.”

“I don’t think my confidence ever really was shaken or anything,” he added. “I think it just goes back to obviously understanding what I can and can’t do. I can’t force things that aren’t there.”